Matthieu, chapter lead engineer
‘I have no doubt that at the end of my assignment I will go back to Belgium transformed and having grown professionally.’
At ING, your personal and professional development take centre stage. One of the possibilities we offer our employees to grow their careers their way is to go on short term or long term assignments abroad. Matthieu took this opportunity to join one of ING’s subsidiaries in Sydney, Australia. He tells us about his experience.
Can you tell us about your assignment in Australia?
I arrived in Sydney in January 2026 for a two- to five-year assignment. My job was to lead the rollout of our new mobile app for business customers (entrepreneurs, SMEs, businesses, etc.) at ING Australia.
What made you choose this destination?
Australia is a magnificent country, and the idea of working in Sydney for ING was like a dream come true for me. My wife and I both work at ING, in different departments, and when the opportunity arose, we jumped at it. I must also say that everyone at ING, both at ING Belgium and at ING Australia, all pulled together to make this opportunity possible.
How did your integration go? Did you face any particular challenges?
There were indeed several challenges. First of all, the simple fact of living on the other side of the world. I start my day while Europe is still asleep. So, since we work a lot with our Belgian and Dutch offices, this sometimes makes for complicated working hours. Some working days end rather late so that we can work with Europe.
Another challenge was to get to know the people and make myself known in the bank. I’ve been working at ING Belgium for 10 years now and, in a large company, I think one of the most important things is to know who to talk to about a given issue. In Belgium, I had built up a solid network over the years, with numerous contacts in ING’s various European entities, and I knew exactly who to contact for any particular problem. When I arrived in Australia, of course, I didn’t know anyone. The structure is different and you have to learn everything all over again.
That said, integrating into ING Australia went very well. The people here are really friendly.
What can exchanges between these two countries bring?
We may be very far apart geographically, but we have the same projects and the same challenges. The difference is how we address these challenges. This makes it very interesting to compare the different approaches in each country and to be open to what is being done elsewhere.
In Australia, I’m bringing a fresh perspective to their issues. And I’m not coming empty-handed: I’m bringing with me my years of experience at ING Belgium. In turn, I’ll be able to take back to Belgium everything I’ve learned here and have a different approach to certain situations. This type of assignment is a great learning opportunity and opens up new career possibilities.
Did you have any specific expectations or fears before you left?
In Belgium, I had a very good connection with the people at ING, and I was afraid I might not find that same bond in this new country. In the end, it wasn’t a problem, I made new connections very quickly. ING Australia is a much smaller organisation, which means it’s easy to build relationships in a very natural way.
Today, I still have many links with my colleagues back in Belgium, and I’ve even made new ones with Belgian colleagues who I used to just see passing by in the corridors.
How is ING supporting you throughout the various stages of this adventure?
ING is helping us every step of the way. The company works with numerous partners, all experts in their own fields. They helped us organise the move, manage taxes, fill in visa documents and find local accommodation. We’ve never been left to fend for ourselves.
ING has also undertaken to help me find a new position when I go back to Belgium. And whatever happens, I’m not worried about the future: I have no doubt that my experience abroad will open up even more opportunities for me within ING.
What impact is this experience having on your career and/or personal life?
This programme enables you to grow personally and professionally, to gain new experience and then bring it back to the group.
For me, this experience will be a success if I manage to challenge myself, do new things, carry out the assignment I’ve been given and grow, both personally and professionally. And after just 5 months, I already have the impression that this is the case. I have no doubt that in 2 years, I will go back to Belgium a completely different person and having grown professionally
What advice could you give to someone considering this programme?
My advice would be to meet the local people as soon as possible. As for me, I met my future colleagues before I left. It helps with integration, and you feel more at ease right from the moment you arrive.
I’d say you also have to be a good listener, and not arrive thinking you know everything. It’s important to remember that this experience is an opportunity to learn.
Why does Matthieu like working at ING?
‘From the outside, ING is a bank, but for me it’s much more than that. My work is more focused on innovation than on banking. My main job is to ensure our customers have the freedom and the means to achieve their ambitions. The Do Your Thing philosophy is exactly that, and that’s what I like about it.’
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